HOUSING
Fusion Arts Exchange students live in RISD’s newest housing facility (opened fall 2005) at 15 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903. Know as “15 West,” the building also houses the spectacular Fleet Library at RISD.

15 West Alcove Suites: floors 3-5, 15 Westminster Street
[click here for floor plans]
Alcove Suites feature two sleeping/living rooms (some singles, some doubles) that share a common entry, bathroom and small food prep area with a sink, refrigerator and two-burner stovetop. The double rooms in these suites have a sleeping alcove for each student with its own floor-to-ceiling drape. This allows for a higher degree of privacy while still giving you the economy of a shared room. Each of the three Alcove floors also features a common room and student workrooms.

15 West Apartments: floors 6-9, 15 Westminster Street
[click here for floor plans]
These air-conditioned apartments are available as either three- or four-bedroom units. All have full kitchens and common living/dining areas, and each bedroom is meant to accommodate one person.

15 West Lofts: floors 10 + 11, 15 Westminster Street
[click here for floor plans]
These units are designed to meet the needs of older students and those with spouses. All loft spaces offer private baths and range in size from the miniloft with snack area (roughly 250 sf, with a small refrigerator and microwave) to the double loft and one-bedroom loft (both about 600 sf and suitable for a couple). These larger lofts have a dining area, more live/sleep space and a full kitchen (with dishwasher). In between the smallest and largest lofts, you can choose the studio loft (roughly 380 sf, with sink, under-counter refrigerator and two-burner stovetop). All lofts are rented on a 12-month basis and come furnished with tables, chairs, lounge seating and double beds (twin in the mini-loft).

WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES WILL YOU NEED?
You’ll be at art school, in the northeast part of the country, on the coast. Bring clothes comfortable for studio work (i.e. that you don’t mind getting dirty and/or splattered). Bring sweaters and jackets, as the weather in the summer months (June-September) can range from high 50s Farenheit to high 90s Farenheit. You may want to bring shorts, sandals and beach attire, too. (Rhode Island has more than 400 miles of ocean shoreline and RISD owns a farm with 33 acres of lawn and beach front on Narragansett Bay.) Rain gear and an umbrella are also good investments, since summer rainstorms are a frequent part of life in Rhode Island.

LAUNDRY
Washers and dryers are available in each residence hall. There are also local companies that provide such things as linen/laundry service.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
The U.S. relies on alternating current, 60 cycles, 110 volts. If you bring electrical equipment (such as hair dryer, shaver, iron or computer), make sure it is compatible or should bring an adapter.

HEALTH + SAFETY
Download these forms, then fill them out and mail or fax them to the addresses/numbers indicated:
>> Health Form
>> Public Safety Form

ACCIDENT + SICKNESS PROGRAM FOR EXCHANGES (ASPE)
The State Department provides accident and health coverage for Fusion Arts Exchange students during the time they are in the program. The ASPE Health Benefit Guide can be accessed at www.usdos.sevencorners.com. Please note that pre-existing conditions are not covered and that RISD will be responsible for the required $25 co-pay.